Adam Everett to be DFA, showing Tigers want to improve
by Kurt Mensching on Jun 6, 2010 7:14 PM EDT
in Detroit Tigers Analysis
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I've always hoped the best for Adam Everett. He seems like a really nice guy. He plays the shortstop position with intelligence to make plays look routine that otherwise might take effort.
But as everyone knows, he just can't hit.
At all.
Eventually even the best glove is overwhelmed by the total lack of a bat, and two months into the season he has a value worse than a replacement player.
Everett left the Tigers with little discretion. They needed to go out and get that replacement player as an upgrade. Fortunately the option seems to be a bit better than replacement.
Danny Worth, welcome back to the big leagues. Effective, Tuesday, anyway, when Everett is officially designated for assignment.
The Tigers' shortstop splits are among the worst in the American League -- and yes, that includes Ramon Santiago, who has an OPS of just .615 at the position, which by the way was almost 150 points higher than Everett's.
As a team the Tigers rank 11th in wOBA if that's your stat, or 12th in batting average, 12th in on-base percentage and 13th in slugging average if you want something a bit more traditional.
Despite a poor two weeks or so of baseball, Detroit finds itself still just 3.5 games behind AL Central first place Minnesota with nearly two-thirds of the season to go. Now is as good as any time to make an upgrade. I'm glad to see the Tigers did it.
Tom Gage has reaction from Everett and Jim Leyland:
"We just didn't see anything happening (offensively) with Adam," said manager Jim Leyland.
"I think Worth is going to be a good one for a long time," said Everett. "I wish him the best."
Worth hit a .333 average/obp/slugging line in 25 plate appearances with Detroit earlier this season. He also fielded well at second base. And he was optioned to Toledo simply because Carlos Guillen was coming off the disabled list. In other words, it was a great experience for Worth during his first stop in Detroit and he should be coming back with some confidence.
But don't expect miracles. As hyped of a prospect as Worth was, he never hit well in the minors. Even this season his line is .287 / .330 / .354. In other words, nothing to write home about.
Still I do like this decision. It became impossible to defend Everett's playing time as bad as he did with the opportunity. Worth, in some combination with Santiago, is an upgrade. Not a great one, but an upgrade.
As well this lets Detroit's front office get plenty of time to evaluate Worth before the offseason, when the Tigers find themselves with some available cash. Will they need to spend some of that on shortstop, either through the weak free-agent market or through a possible trade? Or will Worth be the answer?
They have to know. And they get better immediately just by asking the question.
Cutting ties with Willis last week and designating Everett this week shows the Tigers are not going to settle for weak performances. As a fan, you have to applaud that.
Gerald Laird, however, might want to start evaluating his ability to sublease.
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Good Move
I would rather take a chance on someone like worth. At least he occasionaly hits the ball.
by JAYRC on Jun 6, 2010 7:21 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
I willl miss Opie.
I can see him as a good infield coach in a few years. He made some great plays at SS ( and some bonehead ones, too) but watching him struggle to hit was painful. I’m sure he’ll land on his feet somewhere.
Once they back home, it’s extra BP for everybody!
"I see great things in baseball. It's our game, the American game. It will repair our losses and be a blessing to us." Walt Whitman
I will also miss Opie
I hope he lands a spot with a team that doesn’t need him to provide offense but just needs a smart, defensively sound shortstop. Good luck, Opie!
"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero
Science nerd and proud of it!
Agreed.
He would have been a fine shortstop for this team if they didn’t have so many other weak hitters in the lineup.
His hitting has gone too far south right now to be too attractive of an option unless he's willing to be a back up/defensive substitution.
Maybe he hits .200 in the NL though.
Dontrelle Willis apologist.
Maybe he can go to Arizona and hit for the cycle in his debut?
"All aboard!"
Boesch Bandwagon Conductor
This is probably a dumb question...
And I don’t want it to happen (I don’t THINK that it will happen either), but is there any chance that, with Sizemore swinging a better bat at AAA, the organization is thinking about Sizemore at 2B and Carlos at SS when they feel Sizemore is ready to come back up?
Carlos's knees limit his range and he probably can no longer handle playing such a demanding position as SS.
Dontrelle Willis apologist.
People will curse both of us but I wondered the same thing!
I didn’t realize Sizemore was doing so well til I wrote the fanpost.
by JAYRC on Jun 6, 2010 7:44 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Sizemore might be able to play SS
But the defensive dropoff would be huge.
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
Assist. Editor, Minor League Division, Bless You Boys
It sucks too cuz..
After I bashed Cal Iorg the last two seasons I really thought that Gustavo Nunez might be the answer…
Honestly, he is pretty terible! He has even more bonehead plays than Sizemore!
As you are well aware of David, beyond Worth it’s paper thin at SS. And worth is not bad but nothing to exciting
by JAYRC on Jun 6, 2010 7:50 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Who was that tall guy playing SS in the spring?
Started with a C….Is he at single a right now…Ciasrco or something like that…All I remember is that the kid looked tall to be playing SS
by BennieBladesFan on Jun 6, 2010 8:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Audy Ciriaco
Mister tools, who’s come up short on performance prior to this season. The Tigers added him to the 40 man roster in November to protect him in the rule 5 draft, leaving a number of decent pitchers unprotected in the process. Audy is still a ways off from being major league ready.
Ok...
…Thanks….Someone had mentioned that the SS position was baren in the minors…Sounds like this kid could be something some day.
by BennieBladesFan on Jun 6, 2010 9:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Really...
…man im way begind the tiems this year.
by BennieBladesFan on Jun 6, 2010 10:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Read the recaps!
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
Assist. Editor, Minor League Division, Bless You Boys
by David Tokarz on Jun 6, 2010 10:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Meh
He’s not doing too well in AA… it’s going to take a big click.
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
Assist. Editor, Minor League Division, Bless You Boys
by David Tokarz on Jun 6, 2010 10:52 PM EDT up reply actions
I wonder if
It’s more Sizemore at 2B if Carlos goes on the injured list for an extended period.
"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero
Science nerd and proud of it!
I think Sizemore is insurance now, more than ever.
Carlos is such an injury risk that having Sizemore in the backpocket, and Scotty finding his stroke down at Toledo, means we actually have something in case of Carlos being removed from the physically able to perform list.
Dontrelle Willis apologist.
I dont think we will see Scott...
..until September becasue Los is gona be fine playing at 2nd and hes gona also tear it up.
by BennieBladesFan on Jun 6, 2010 8:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Carlos is a time bomb.
His legs get tweaked far too often to be considered reliable.
Dontrelle Willis apologist.
Why not Sizemore at 3rd?
I love that idea the most. An infield of Caby, Los, Worth and Sizemore sounds pretty good to me.
by BennieBladesFan on Jun 6, 2010 8:06 PM EDT up reply actions
His arm isn't good enough.
You’d be better off with Guillen at 3B. But then where do you play Inge? Designated Defender?
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
Assist. Editor, Minor League Division, Bless You Boys
That was my point...
…im not happy with Inge and maybe Sizemore oculd be the 3rd sacker of the future…Work on the arm strength and maybe theres a chance.
by BennieBladesFan on Jun 6, 2010 9:23 PM EDT up reply actions
His arm is best for 2B
Not really much of a chance.
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
Assist. Editor, Minor League Division, Bless You Boys
by David Tokarz on Jun 6, 2010 10:52 PM EDT up reply actions
I know it's big, but this is my favorite picture of him
from last June when he had the run off against Chicago
"I see great things in baseball. It's our game, the American game. It will repair our losses and be a blessing to us." Walt Whitman
I liked Everett.
But something had to be done about that bottom part of the line up.
Dontrelle Willis apologist.
I hope someone picks him up
or maybe he will get a coaching job, because he does know what he’s doing in the infield. and as Jim said in this article, he’s a great guy. I know more than once this year the rookies have named him as a helpful influence.
Director of the 2010 Free Casper Wells campaign
No Run Support
I would love to see Opie as the Tigers infield coach.
Adam Everett always seemed to be a good personality.
Dontrelle Willis apologist.
I feel like I haven't seen this pic in forever.
I’m kinda sad.
My Music: Some Sorta Giant
My Blog: Strike Three Mechanics
Do we need to make a move at 3rd as well?
I guess it all depends on how well the bottom of the lineup does with Worth.
Opps that not what I ment to put sorry...
…They wont make a move but they should.
by BennieBladesFan on Jun 6, 2010 9:24 PM EDT up reply actions
It had to happen, and this move was long, long over due.
In the two plus seasons that he spent with the Tigers, there was not a poorer hitter in the league against right handed pitching than Adam Everett. That’s about 70% of the at bats that the Tigers get. There is no denying Everett’s defense is well above average, but there is no amount of defense that can make up for the lack of offense that Everett brought to the Tiger lineup. He was a liability to the team. This had to happen.
"It will officially happen on Tuesday with Danny Worth coming back to be the Tigers' shortstop." Tom Gage
What does this mean in terms of Worth’s playing time?
Full time shortstop? I doubt that. Platoon with Santiago?
Primary SS with Santiago backing up at second and short?
My feeling at the moment is that DD will need to go shopping this winter for a 3B, SS, and catcher, and maybe a starting pitcher or two. Kurt hit the bullseye with his comment that the Tigers need to see what Worth is worth. Might as well find out!
He's old and he strikes out too much
If he cut the K rate down, then he’d be great. But right now he’s not an option.
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
Assist. Editor, Minor League Division, Bless You Boys
He strikes out more than Ingey
That’s a lot.
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
Assist. Editor, Minor League Division, Bless You Boys
by David Tokarz on Jun 6, 2010 10:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Always liked Everett as well.
But there’s a tipping point where even the best defense doesn’t over come a lack of hitting and Everett surpassed it.
Unfortunately, I think this really is the end of the line for Everett. He’ll catch on somewhere but I don’t think he’ll be even a big league bench player moving passed this season.
My old blog is Tigers By The Numbers.
Now I write at Bless You Boys.
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I'm a little sad to say that this makes me happy.
My Music: Some Sorta Giant
My Blog: Strike Three Mechanics
by madpoopz on Jun 6, 2010 9:34 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Like most, I'm sorry to Adam go
but I am glad that this seems to indicate the Tigers are going to play to win this year.
Rooting for Tiger stripes, not pinstripes
I agree
I take this move as a sign also. I would like to see us stay in contention. If we keep going this way, that won’t happen. We need run production.
Welcome to Detroit, NO sissies allowed
A Good Sign is better than no sign at all.
I always considered AE to be the Ray Oyler of this team. But let’s face it, we can say “It’s early June and we’re only 3 games out of first!”
Or, we can say, “It’s early June and we’re only 2 games over .500”.
At least the front office is trying to do something.
The only guy I miss it Placido Polanco.
Difference between this Otler and Oppie is...
….Oyler could be absorbed by a better lineup…If we had a better lineup Oppie would be playing short everyday…We just cant afford to have a 3 guys that cant hit.
by BennieBladesFan on Jun 6, 2010 10:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Sorry about my typing...
…Should be difference between Oyler and Oppie
by BennieBladesFan on Jun 6, 2010 10:53 PM EDT up reply actions
This will date me
I know I’m old, but Everett reminded me of Ray Oyler, Mr. 0-for-August, except that he wasn’t as good a fielder. At least Mayo Smith had Mickey Stanley he could plug in at SS in the Series. I’ve also noticed that Santiago’s offensive production seems to be in inverse proportion to his playing time. If they keep running off guys who can’t hit a lick, Inge will be batting 10th pretty soon and playing short field (in a slowpitch beer league in Bay City.)
When everything was on the line, Oyler was on the pine!
Ray found himself watching Mickey Stanley playing SS when the post season rolled around, and was a Seattle Pilot the following spring.
Unlike D-Train, I feel this is a legit question:
has Everett played his last MLB game? I don’t see anyone else taking a chance on him.
by ChrisDTX on Jun 6, 2010 11:05 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
I wonder if an NL team will at least give a look
but I feel like it’s possible
by Kurt Mensching on Jun 6, 2010 11:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Maybe
usually teams want better hitters on their bench, not defensive guys. I doubt anyone else will want him as a starter.
by handsomerob1 on Jun 6, 2010 11:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Would save the Tigers a pro rated portion of $ 1.55 mil (about 1 mil) if some team claimed him off waivers.
And if he clears waivers, a pro rated portion of 400 K (about 265 K) if some club picked him up afterwards.
maybe
but I feel someone will throw him a bone for league minimum, as a backup somewhere, probably in the NL
I am very pleased with this decision by the tigers
Opie looked lost at the plate sometimes.
also, looks like i have to change my sig come tuesday.
I Like Pie
I Dislike Opie
maybe change it to
I Dislike Punto
Just to see what happens. :)
"While there's life, there's hope." --Cicero
Science nerd and proud of it!
I always thought DFA stood for
Death from Above….
Nevertheless, everyone certainly liked Opie, but personality does not go a long way in baseball. This is a good move, no matter who takes over at SS.
Death from the Above office to be exact...
because Opies career is now dead.
My Music: Some Sorta Giant
My Blog: Strike Three Mechanics
A couple guys to consider also..
We still have Brent Dlugach down in AA I do belive who has pretty nice pop in his bat. Though his average is below .250 he has home run power something we lack at the position. Also Wilken Ramirez is tearing it up with 15 home runs but its too bad we dont have room for his bat in the lineup. There are also a couple pitchers who should be making their way to the Tigers in the next couple years. I was just checking out Lakeland and they have a guy by the name of Charles Furbush who has 98 strikeouts in 68 innings so far, 11 starts. I dont know how he is going to fare in the majors weather its as a starter or reliver but he looks pretty darn good on paper. A couple more pitchers worth noting are Daniel Schlerath who yeah walks a fair share of guys but doesnt always allow them to score. Nice ERA down in Toledo. The other is Andrew Oliver. The farm is loaded with talent weather they bring some of those guys up or go out and make a trade to get somebody worth giving up a couple pieces for.
Loaded is pushing it a bit
Dlugach strikes out too much, Ramirez strikes out too much (though he’s not a horrible option), Furbush is dominating Hi A as a 24 year old and needs to prove himself at Erie first, Schlereth is a good relief prospect in a system full of them and Oliver is holding his own in AA, but still comes with risk.
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
Assist. Editor, Minor League Division, Bless You Boys
Hyperbole: the greatest thing ever!
by ChrisDTX on Jun 7, 2010 11:42 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Tell me about it
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
Assist. Editor, Minor League Division, Bless You Boys
The headline says it all
The last week has really shown that the FO is going to try to win. Whether they can find enough to win the division is an open question, but an end to the self-sabotage is a big step forward.
Perhaps the realization that sacrificing offense for infield defense doesn’t make sense with a fly-ball staff has come. If so, Inge is officially on notice.
Nah
I don’t think Inge has to worry during the season but at the end of the year he’s probably going to have to sign as a free agent with an NL team. We can carry one lousy hitter at the bottom of the line-up, especially if he has at least occasional pop in his bat. But 3-4 guys at the bottom of the order who are guaranteed outs? I’d be a little worried if my name was Gerald Laird.
thinking about it
i wonder if one of the main reason laird is with the tigers is to tutor our future main catcher, alex avila. i think the tigers are willing to put up with his bat as long as he’s teaching the youngster how to call great games and throw out baserunners.
I Like Pie
I Dislike Opie
I think Avila has learned alot from Laird defensively...
Avila’s defense is getting pretty good behind the plate.
My Music: Some Sorta Giant
My Blog: Strike Three Mechanics
He's also there
because Avila can’t catch every single game. There’s no one else in the system that’s MLB-caliber (or even AAA caliber, really) so Laird has fairly high job security at the moment.
I don't think Laird has much to worry about
Aside from all the nebulous and unmeasurable teaching aspects, he is, without a doubt, the second best catcher in the system. With the injury to Zaun, there are no longer any reasonable trade targets out there that don’t cost a ton. As pathetically sad as it is, there is no one more deserving of Laird’s roster spot.
Third basemen, on the other hand, essentially grow on trees. Inge’s value is entirely in his glove, and the Tigers stockpile fly ball pitchers, making his glove less important. I certainly wouldn’t advocate benching or releasing him, but I would be actively looking to trade him. He has a lot more value to a team that has ground ball pitchers and needs quality infield gloves.
Ah
But we have no replacement in the system capable of playing above A ball. So the problem is even worse there.
President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.
Assist. Editor, Minor League Division, Bless You Boys
about time
looks like management is finally realizing a team still has to hit the ball to win—-laird and inge..pack your bags..then maybe we can get some where !
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